Our View

Prom season is upon us, with one prom already over and three more to go in the next few weeks.
Buford High School held its Phantom’s Masquerade-themed prom April 2 at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster’s Bradley Arts and Science Building.
On April 30, Indian Land and Lancaster high schools will hold their proms. Indian Land’s Arabian Nights-themed event will be at the South Charlotte Banquet Center. Lancaster’s Moonlight Oasis-themed event will be at York Tech’s Baxter Hood Center.

They play different roles, but their devious goal is the same. Scammers are on the rise in Lancaster County.
They often prey on senior citizens, but they will also pursue others, who at the moment might be unaware of their scumbag plot.
In recent local incidents, scam artists have posed as charitable organizations, law enforcement officials, loan officers and sweepstakes companies.
Their goal is to steal your money, but don’t be a victim. Be vigilant of their underhanded game.

It is no revelation that the fastest-growing area in Lancaster County is just north of Waxhaw Creek, what is known as the Panhandle. The proliferation of new housing developments, businesses and traffic is enough evidence. However, that fact was confirmed when the 2010 Census figures were released recently.

The U.S. Census Bureau showed that Lancaster County was the fifth fastest-growing county in South Carolina. According to census data, Lancaster County’s official population is now 76,652, a jump from the 2000 population estimate of 61,351.

April 2 was a red-letter day for the residents of the Pleasant Valley Fire District.
That’s the day the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department celebrated the grand opening of its new $2.1 million fire station on Possum Hollow Road in Indian Land.

For National County Government Month, the Lancaster County Veterans Affairs Office has adopted a theme of “Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families.”
In doing so, there has been a host of activities to honor veterans.

Next week’s special election will decide who will finish Mick Mulvaney’s term in the S.C. Senate District 16 seat.
And it looks like it’s already drawing attention. About 303 Lancaster County voters have already cast absentee ballots for one of the three men running for the seat, which covers most of Lancaster County, Fort Mill and other parts of eastern York County.
Senate District 16 voters will see these candidates on their ballots on Tuesday:
u Republican Greg Gregory of Lancaster
u Democrat Keith Brann of Fort Mill

You may not read their names on the president’s and dean’s lists. You won’t read about their accomplishments in school gymnasiums or on the football, soccer and baseball fields. Nor accolades about their scholastic achievements.
Don’t get us wrong, these are not bad students. They are actually very good students. Many of them do play sports and are on honor rolls. While some of these A,B, C students don’t always get the recognition of their more highly skilled academic and athletic peers, they deserve it.

When Phillip Mickles left South Middle School to become the A.R. Rucker Middle principal, he knew he was moving to a good situation in education, which included a top-notch media specialist.
How good?
Now she’s the best in the state.
A.R. Rucker media specialist Leigh Jordan was recently named Media Specialist of the Year by the S.C. Association of School Librarians.
“She is the best,” Mickles said. “Our media center is the hub of the school and she is a major reason our school is so successful.”

There’s plenty of reason for an upbeat attitude at the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office these days. The sheriff’s office recently received its accreditation.
The achievement earned Lancaster County the distinction of being the 44th state law enforcement agency of 290 statewide to earn its accreditation and the only the 11th state sheriff’s office to reach the elite status.
The accreditation means the sheriff’s office is a more professional agency, increasing officer morale and providing better service for county residents.

When your children improve their grades on their report card, you praise them. You may even reward them. Likewise, when our schools and school district improve their grades on their report cards, they deserve our praise.
Lancaster County School District and its four high schools recently received their report cards from the state. Three of the high schools and the district overall showed improvement in both of the state’s ratings. Six of the district’s elementary and middle schools also showed improvement in their ratings, which were announced in November.